Characteristics of a pulse-periodic XeCl laser with a system for regeneration of the gas mixture

The energy characteristics, lifetime, and quality of the output radiation of a typical XeCl laser were investigated. Two maxima were observed for the first time in the dependence of the radiation energy on the ratio of the peaking and storage capacitances. The reasons for the appearance of these maxima were identified. Data on mirror contamination and on cyclic operation led to the conclusion that initially (up to 10⁶ shots) the main reason for the fall in the laser radiation power was the appearance of fine particles in the active medium. The effectiveness of a new system for regeneration of the working mixture of gases was demonstrated: this mixture did not require cryogenic apparatus and was capable of maintaining the required concentration of HCl molecules. The system also prevented the appearance of fine particles and of a number of undesirable molecular impurities. The use of an unstable telescopic cavity with asymmetric coupling-out of the radiation made it possible, even in the case of a relatively simple configuration, to focus the radiation in a small (~10 μm) spot.